tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72715100394353364422024-02-19T00:59:03.384-05:00The Lark JournalsChatting with Kathleen, Margaret and Sarita, three Whiskey Creek Press authors.Sarita Leonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09236262575377618259noreply@blogger.comBlogger666125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-5510934751633944562013-08-15T11:14:00.001-04:002013-08-15T11:14:45.181-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My latest novel Under a Grecian Moon, was published last week. This is a traditional romance - and don't you just love the cover - telling the story of Lander Drakos and Evie, two lovers who were parted in very sad circumstances. They meet again only they are haunted by what happened in the past and of course there is a child, Helena, who must be protected at all costs.<br />
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I had a very nice interview in the local paper. The journalist who is super, always puts my age, he must keep accurate records because he always gets it right and moves the years on! It had me wondering, how do readers feel about a writer's age, does it put them off reading the novel?<br />
If they are a nineteen something would they think they do not want to read anything by someone who is 60 plus, and vice-versa does a 50 year old think they will pass on a book by a l7 year old?<br />
It could be it happens. What do you think?<br />
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Under a Grecian Moon<br />
Published by <a href="http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/">www.whiskeycreekpress.com</a><br />
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available in print and as an e-book from the publisher and<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/">www.Amazon.com</a>margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-45114001382479581562013-06-20T09:08:00.000-04:002013-06-20T09:08:19.023-04:00Book coversAre book covers important, and if so how important? This thought came to me when I was sent a draft of the proposed cover for my new book. Immediately I liked this cover, it was perfect. The novel is called "Under a Grecian Moon" (out in August 2013) and the cover echoed the title perfectly.<br />
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When I am looking for a book to read I confess I am drawn to the writer. The cover is way down my list but if we want to attract a new reader then I would think the cover is very important. It will tempt the prospective reader to pick up the book, I would surmise first they will read the blurb and then the first page.<br />
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I don't generally like my characters on the cover. I have a specific idea in my head how that character looks and feel an artist's view would not echo with mine. However, Jinger Easton who designed my cover for "Eden's Child" caught my heroine Maddy perfectly. I was over the moon with that cover. What do you think? I had similar feelings about Kerensa on the cover of A Fatal Flaw. However, there are no pictures of the men in my books. Oh no, I definitely would not like to see my heroes on a cover. They live in <i>my</i> head.<br />
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Another Artist David Young does beautiful covers, for my books he has always covered two scenes from the novel. Very clever! (See A Poisoned Legacy).<br />
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What do you think? How do you like your covers? Do you like <i>uncovered</i> men? Do you prefer a scene or a character. Come on, give me an opinion - I really want to know.<br />
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<br />margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-5997267634153235952013-05-02T04:37:00.000-04:002013-05-02T04:37:07.646-04:00Pauline HolyoakI am very happy to welcome to the blog the fantastic writer Pauline Holyoak. Welcome, Pauline.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About Pauline - I grew in <st1:place w:st="on">Southeast England</st1:place>, in a coal mining village my husband calls, “The place that time forgot.” Look at my article, below to find out why. I immigrated to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>, in search of adventure and a new life, when I was twenty one. I now live in <st1:state w:st="on">Alberta</st1:state> (<st1:place w:st="on">Western Canada</st1:place>) with my sports crazy husband, adorable sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. I am the proud mother of two grown children and one adorable grandchild.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
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About my trilogy - Merryweather Lodge, was inspired by my own experiences in a remote and mysterious little cottage near <st1:place w:st="on">Stonehenge</st1:place>. This cottage was called Scotland Lodge and belonged to my aunt and uncle. My family spent their summer holidays there when she was a child. It was my fairytale kingdom, with a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge stayed with me, as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all of my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland and was lead to concocting this story and writing this trilogy. This wonderland and my childhood fantasies were the catalyst for my writing career and the inspiration for my trilogy.</div>
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The first book in this trilogy, Merryweather Lodge – Ancient Revenge, was the Readers Favorite 2011 Silver Award Winner for paranormal fiction. Book two, Merryweather Lodge – Malevolent Spirit, was an award finalist. The release date for book three is July 1<sup>st</sup>. I have also written two children’s books and had twenty five articles published.</div>
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A Tribute to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mining</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Village</st1:placetype></st1:place> where I grew up. The place I will always call home.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 182.25pt; width: 243pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="Aylesham" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Margaret\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span></u></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><u>Aylesham - A Lady in Her Own Standing</u></b><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nestled between the notorious city of <st1:city w:st="on">Canterbury</st1:city> and the medieval town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dover</st1:city></st1:place> you will find her, growing rapidly in population, yet retaining her mining roots. Looked down on by some, dismissed by many, she shrugs off the loftiness and prestige of those around her. The place of my childhood, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Aylesham</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Village</st1:placetype></st1:place>, lovingly nicknamed Sunshine Corner. My husband calls her, “The place that time forgot.”</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Established in 1926 as a mining community, Aylesham attracted and embraced miners from all over the <st1:place w:st="on">British Isles</st1:place>. Some came out of necessity, desperately seeking work. Others were rejected by their own pits and labeled militants. They all came seeking a new life and prosperity, with their pockets empty but their hearts filled with determination. The diversity and uniqueness of her original settlers have molded and shaped the character of Aylesham and made her what she is today.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I left the village when I was 21 years old and immigrated to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place>. I went in search of adventure and a new life. That vast and majestic country has housed my form, nurtured my soul, provided me with a career and a wonderful family, but <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place> will always been home. Now as I’m growing older, I tend to reminisce more often; the memories of my childhood entertain my thoughts frequently and fill me with nostalgia. I remember vividly the profusion and delicate fragrance of the wild roses scattered throughout the village. The leisurely walks through the wooded <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Spinney Lane</st1:address></st1:street> in the spring, with her carpet of primroses and later, in a mist of bluebells. The regimented cuisine of fish on Fridays, salad on Saturdays and the ever-reliable Sunday dinner. I recall the congregations of women, standing outside the shops adorned with colorful aprons and metal curlers, exchanging the local gossip, as they rocked their big-wheeled prams back and forth. Packs of mischievous dogs roaming and littering the streets, unsupervised and uncared-for; a mixed breed of canines, coming and going as they pleased. Rows and rows of clothes lines with their fresh white linen blowing in the breeze, generally on Mondays. The Welfare Grounds, where we watched our dad play football on a Saturday afternoon. Its primitive play equipment and all its nooks and crannies where lovers stole forbidden, romantic moments, was an adventure land for us kids. The unforgettable, annual, seaside trips, sponsored by the working mans club. Like a regiment of soldiers, laden with goods, we would march to the station, fill the train to capacity and leave the village abandoned. We would make sand castles on the beach; wade in the sea and anticipating the thrill of the fun fair and the taste of candy floss at the end of the day. Oh, what simplicity! Oh, what joy! As a child, Aylesham was my haven, my place in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The people of Aylesham are unique in many ways; they have a distinct accent and vocabulary of their own. They have a strong sense of humor, love for the absurd and a habit of poking fun at what they love without meaning disrespect. Most of the people that live there are descendants of the original settlers and are quite familiar with each others history. They show a genuine but inquisitive concern for their neighbors which might be considered intrusive by some. There is an invisible bond that binds them together. Strangers are cautiously welcomed. Although these Aylesham people may appear to be a tad unsophisticated at times, they are the cheeriest, kindest, friendliest and most caring breed of folk you could ever wish to meet.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The negative stigma that has attached itself to the village has always puzzled me. Although she does have her share of illicit and unscrupulous characters, the same can be said of any other town of her size. I have always believed that her reputation is unjust. Those that would harshly judge her have not lived among her people and felt the comradery of such a close-knit community. Although her amenities are limited, she is slowly coming to terms with contemporary life; just at a more leisurely pace than some. She has weathered the storms of nature’s wrath, tragedies, mining strikes and the closure of her life’s blood, Snowdown Colliery, but still manages to retain the essence of her mining roots. She has absorbed the verbal abuse and discrimination from those around her with dignity. She has nursed, nurtured and sustained her own. She is indeed a <i>Lady in Her Own Standing</i> and I am proud to call her home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Thank you for invi<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>ing me <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>o your blog, Margare<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>.</div>
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My books are available in print or eBook format at <a href="http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/">http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/">www.amazon.com</a> Book three of my trilogy will be released on July 1<sup>st</sup>. </div>
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Please come visit me at <a href="http://www.paulineholoak.com/">http://www.paulineholoak.com</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>read about my fascinating life and view my videos.</div>
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margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-6002003068284997752013-04-18T03:07:00.000-04:002013-04-18T03:07:02.992-04:00Welcome John Lindermuth<strong>Our visitor today is the prolific writer John Lindermuth. John writes many exciting novels in a variety of genre as well as fantastic short stories. </strong><br />
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(Sooner Than Gold, published in April by Wild Oaks, division of Oak Tree Press, is the second of J. R. Lindermuth’s mysteries featuring Sheriff Sylvester Tilghman. It’s the summer of 1898. The nation, just coming out of an economic slump, has been at war with Spain since April. And Sylvester has a murder victim with too many enemies.)<br />
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I’m Luther Longlow of Arahpot, Pennsylvania, one of those small farm communities on the fringe of the commonwealth’s anthracite coal region. Everybody knows in these waning days of the 19th century the coal region is nearly as violent as anything you’ll find in the Wild West.<br />
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Sylvester Tilghman is our sheriff, as was his daddy and his granddaddy before him. Normally, Sylvester does a fine job of keeping the peace. But lately our town’s tranquility has been shaken once more. A fellow by the name of Will Petry was found dead out at Nathan Zimmerman’s coal mine. Problem is, Syl says he has too danged many suspects. It don’t make it any easier that Zimmerman is town burgess and Syl’s boss.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Claude Kessler was standing over the body with a knife in his hand, but he claims he didn’t kill the man. Rachel Webber, Petry’s surly teen-aged stepdaughter, admits she committed an act meant to cause him harm. And then there’s a band of gypsies claiming Petry stole one of their young women.<br />
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I can’t for the life of me see how Syl’s gonna get to the bottom of things. But I have faith in the boy. He’s worked out tough problems in the past.<br />
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<br />
If this murder isn’t enough to complicate Sylvester’s life, that scoundrel McLean Ruppenthal is threatening his job again, there’s a female horse thief causing trouble and an old gypsy woman has been making scary predictions.<br />
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I’d like to see my stubborn daughter Lydia give in and marry Syl. Lord knows, he’s asked her enough times. I know it’s not easy for a big man to go down on one knee, let alone humble himself to ask the same question time and again. Lydia is one of those new-fangled independent women. You’d think it’d be enough accomplishments for her since she already runs the general merchandise store I founded, is postmistress, head of the Women’s Temperance League, a Sunday school teacher and sings in the Methodist church choir. Most women are plenty satisfied with just being a wife and mother.<br />
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Here’s an excerpt from the story:<br />
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<br />
<br />
I’ve never been over fond of tight places and I was just about as uncomfortable as I had been riding in Hiram’s machine as we descended into the depths of the mine on the hoisting carriage. We’d been met at the top by a miner who was to be our escort.<br />
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“Why are we here?” I asked.<br />
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“I dunno,” the miner said. “Mister Zimmerman just told me to bring you down.”<br />
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It was my first time descending the shaft and I’ll confess to being nervous about it. I was glad it was as dark as it was so Doc and the miner couldn’t detect any possible sign of fear on my face. Whether it was there or not, I’m not sure. I do know I felt uneasy. Doc has been down countless times so I’m sure he had no trepidation about the journey. It was probably a daily experience for the miner, so I guess it didn’t mean a thing to him either.<br />
<br />
The miner must have sensed my nervousness. “Don’t you worry none, Sheriff,” he said. “This is a safety carriage. It’s built of wrought iron instead of wood like they used to be.”<br />
<br />
“I’m not worried,” I told him, hoping there wasn’t a quiver to my voice.<br />
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“It’s got dogs to hold the carriage in case the rope breaks or the machinery fails.”<br />
<br />
“Dogs?”<br />
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“You know—a safety clutch. And there’s a roof over us so nothing’s gonna whop us if it falls down the shaft.”<br />
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That should have calmed me, but it didn’t. My stomach went all queasy as the machinery hummed and the carriage began to drop. The air around us was suddenly damp and cold. We were shoved up against one another in that tiny space. I could hear both men breathing and the miner’s body odor mingled with Doc’s familiar barber scent.<br />
<br />
After what seemed another eternity we struck bottom and exited out into the shaft. The miner lit a carbide lamp on his cap and led us down the dark tunnel. I drew my jacket closer around me and turned up the collar against the chill. Water dripped from the ceiling and I did my best to ignore the scurrying heard off in the shadows. Off in the distance, the murmur of voices soon became audible.<br />
<br />
Though ours is mainly an agricultural community, everyone knows coal mining is a dangerous profession. The men and boys engaged in the profession go off to work daily, facing the possibility they might not come home at the end of their shift. Hardly an issue of local newspapers can be read without finding account of some fatal accident. The most prevalent and dangerous risk to the miner seems to be a fall of coal, slate and rock from the roof, ribs and face of a chamber.<br />
<br />
That’s another reason I’m glad law enforcement has been my family’s profession since my grandfather’s time. It wasn’t like I went hunting for the job. Truth is nobody else wanted it. And, since my father held the post before me, folks figured that was qualification enough.<br />
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Not that it’s usually that taxing a job. There isn’t normally a whole lot of crime in Arahpot. We have our occasional chicken and livestock thefts, a bar fight now and again and sometimes people want to go faster than they should in their carriages. Thinking on that last, it could get worse when more people own fast horseless carriages like that one of Hiram’s. <br />
<br />
We rounded a corner and came into a larger chamber brightly lit with a series of lanterns hung from timbers. A cluster of men in dark clothing and with carbide lamps on their caps like our guide stood in the center of the chamber and turned to gawk when we entered.<br />
<br />
“About time you got here,” Nathan Zimmerman barked, coming out from their midst. He’s a square-built man in his middle fifties with a round, red face and thinning gray hair parted down the middle. You could tell he didn’t work down here since he was decked out in a fine dark olive cassimere suit. His shiny black bluchers were specked with mud and grit and I’m sure that annoyed him to beat all. The other men were miners, all of them appearing to be uncomfortable in his presence.<br />
<br />
“Why’d you call for us, Mr. Zimmerman?” I asked, being as polite as I could.<br />
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“Because we got a dead man, and it looks like murder.” He stepped aside and we saw a body stretched out on the ground between him and the others. “Bad enough I keep losin’ workers to this danged war without them killing one another.”<br />
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“What happened?”<br />
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“I’ll let him tell you.” Zimmerman jerked his thumb at a man next to him.<br />
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The man stepped out and I recognized him. Alex Mettler lives in Arahpot and I didn’t recall he’d ever given me a lick of trouble.<br />
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“Hello, sheriff, Doc,” he said with a nod.<br />
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“Never mind the pleasantries,” Zimmerman snapped. “Just tell ‘em what happened.”<br />
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Mettler nodded again and got to it. “I’m inside boss. The men on the day shift for this slope found the gangway closed up by a fall from an older breast. The men on the night crew—Elmer Teats, Joe Gibson, Willis Petry, Claude Kessler and George Shankweiler, a driver, with his mule—were all shut in.<br />
<br />
“They called me and we found we were able to converse with the men on the other side of the obstruction. We learned they had good air, but one man was serious injured or maybe dead.”<br />
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I recognized some of the names. Teats was a married man with several children. Shankweiler was also married. Joe Gibson was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old kid who lived with his parents just down the street from Hiram and me. I knew Kessler, too. He had a reputation as a hothead. Petry I couldn’t place. “Which one’s dead?”<br />
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“We’ll get to that,” Zimmerman said. He motioned for Alex to continue.<br />
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“I set the crew to work diggin’ and we had them out in a couple, three hours. We found they went to work about six o’clock yesterday evening and the slide occurred at about midnight. In all, they was trapped about twelve hours.”<br />
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“Never mind that,” Zimmerman said. “Tell ‘em about the murder.”<br />
<br />
Mettler dipped his head in obedience. “Teats, Shankweiler and the boy were in the chamber where we broke through.” He pointed at the body on the ground, “Him and Kessler were in a little alcove around the corner. When we came in, Kessler was standing over Petry with a knife in his hand.” <br />
<br />
“But I didn’t kill ‘em,” Kessler said. “I swear I didn’t.”<br />
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Buy links: <br />
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http://www.amazon.com/Sooner-than-Gold-J-Lindermuth/dp/1610090837/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_GKB3<br />
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http://www.oaktreebooks.com/Wild%20Oak-Westerns.htm <br />
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margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-10142462625962885452013-02-01T08:58:00.001-05:002013-02-01T08:58:21.236-05:00QuestionsI am always fascinated by the questions the audience ask after a talk. Sometimes you are really put on the hop but I do love a challenge.<br />
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One lady asked me if there was any book that I had written that I no longer like. I thought quickly and realised there wasn't Was there a book I thought could be improved? Well yes absolutely, but if it comes to pass that years on I decide I don't like a book I have written what does that say about me? In all crafts you learn as you go along and I am sure it's like that with writing - well it is with me - and somethings now I would do differently. It was challenging to have to answer that question and it did require a lot of thought.<br />
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A popular question is about titles, how do you think up a title for your novel? Do I have to have the title before I write. No. What I do have to do is have the names of my leading characters. That is so important, without those I can't write a word. However, titles are often as problematical as blurbs and synopsis. I can spend ages on those. Quite often I dip into Shakespeare and steal from him, other poets too. "Fortune's Folly" came from Romeo and Juliet, The Longest Pleasure, a poem by Lord Byron. Other are more about the novel. Tilly's Trials, my heroine is called Tilly and boy does she have some trials (and some of them of her own making). Spanish Lies was SO easy, that is one title that came to me before the book was half way written. There were lies and they generated in the country of Spain. Easy! I wish I knew how Eden's Child came about, it just tipped into my mind and readers will know the reasons are obvious but it was a long time before it actually came to me.<br />
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When do you write, is also a popular question. How do you choose your setting is another one. Well the last one is fairly straight forward. My next novel "Under a Grecian Moon" was born because I was looking out on a cold, grey day and wished to take myself somewhere warm and sunny. I thought, "I'll go to Greece - perhas a Greek island, that would be fun and it would be warm, so off I went. Ah the pleasure of being a writer and to have the imagination to wish yourself somewhere nice.<br />
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I wonder how you would answer these questions - if you are a writer do share!<br />
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margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-43176319535256885332012-11-22T06:55:00.001-05:002012-11-22T06:55:12.031-05:00Ex-GirlfriendsDo all ex-girlfriends have to be nasty? I was wondering about that while writing my latest novel.<br />
I don't think it's necessary. In Tilly's Trials my hero has a new girlfriend. She is, I think, justified in being very wary of Marsh's ex-wife. She isn't popular with his family but that is to do more with them realizing that she isn't right for him. I don't think she is particularly nasty just human,.we have all been there I'm sure!<br />
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My next book out has a real humdinger of a love rival. She is a genuine nasty piece of work.I loved thinking up the tricks she got up to. However, was that also her nature? Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca was an unpleasant woman, her malign presence, even though she is dead, haunts this novel, she is kept alive by the equally horrid Mrs Danvers. These women can really take over a novel. Care is needed to sometimes reign them in.<br />
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Is my rival for Lander's affections justified in being an arch manipulator? Of course not. Certainly she could be hurt and upset but she takes it much further. She is selfish and unkind and not only to my heroine but to her daughter as well. There is no excuse for her behaviour.<br />
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However, it can be tedious if all our love rivals are downright wicked. In Beloved Deceiver the hero's ex-girlfriend has a generous nature.At first I was nervous about how it would work but fortunately the novel was well received and I think everyone liked Fabia. Of course even Fabia hadn't to outshine the heroine, or why else would Mars Collingwood choose Flora? That was not difficult to do. I won't tell you how I did it, find out yourself!!<br />
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On the whole though my love rivals have not been particularly nice. Sometimes it is not that they are still in love with the hero. Sometimes they just can't help themselves, like Maddy's twin sister Milly, in Eden's Child. Upbringing, lifestyle choice and an inbred instability make it impossible for Milly to be anything other than malign.<br />
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Let's face it really bad girls are fun to write about - rather more enjoyable than bad men - but that's only my opinion What do you think?<br />
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<br />margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-3527582617421869642012-11-01T07:44:00.000-04:002012-11-01T07:44:01.393-04:00The Saddest MonthT S Eliot wrote that "April is the saddest month" I don't understand why he did that. For me April is new beginnings, it is early Spring, all around new life is coming forth. There are daffodils along the hedgerows and by the Lakes in the magical Lake District. A primrose peeps up in a wood. Buds are on the trees. It can be cold and blowy, it is possible for snow to descend but there is never anything sad about April for me. Of course there is Easter and Good Friday if you are a Christian, and that is a very sad day but there is Easter Day with the promise of life and all good things.<br />
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For me the saddest month is November. It has nothing to do with dark nights (although they can really make you feel miserable) or the fact that the leaves have all but left the trees and lie in soggy piles on pavements. No, it is none of these. I think of the 11th November. The day the Armistice was signed. A recent television programme related the little known fact that because the signing was at 11.00 a.m. young men were still being killed on that day. Stupid generals were insisting their men still fought on. I think the last soldier to die was a young American at around 11.00 a.m.<br />
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November makes me feel so sad, it always has. I think of my grandfather and other lads like him fighting in a war that brought them nothing. Remembrance of the First World War should never be forgotten, even though it is for me the reason that November is the "saddest month."<br />
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I remember going to Ypres and to the daily ceremony at the Menin Gate. There were lots of school children there, chatting in the way they do and I thought oh what a shame they don't realise the significance. Me of little faith - the moment the Fire Brigade band came they fell silent and respectful. They were wonderful.<br />
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Let's think of all service personnel this month. We send them to war zones I never hear them complain. In the words of a cheerful song "Bless 'em All."margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-70264998205742483162012-10-23T08:59:00.001-04:002012-10-23T09:02:50.188-04:00John Lindermuth<br />
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Hi John Lindermuth is visiting us today - I am sure you will enjoy his</div>
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replies.</div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wha<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> is <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>he working <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>i<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>le of your book?</span></span></b></strong></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A Burning
Desire</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Where did
<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>he idea come from for
<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>he
book?<u1:p></u1:p></span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I think it may have originated with
hearing a song on the radio.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wha<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> genre does your book fall
under?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></strong></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mystery/suspense</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Which actors would
you choose to play your characters in a movie
rendition?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></strong></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Whoa! Let’s get the
book published first.</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">What is the
one-sentence synopsis of your
book?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></strong></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">An enemy from the
past stalks a detective and his lover.</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /><strong><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Will your book be self-published
or represen<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>ed by an
agency?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></b></strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hopefully, by the
publisher of previous books in the series.</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /><strong><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How long did it take you to write
the first draft of your
manuscript?<o:p></o:p></span></b><u1:p></u1:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Six to eight
months.</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wha<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> o<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>her
books would you compare <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>his
s<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>ory <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>o wi<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>hin
your genre?<u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I’d prefer not to be seen as
derivative. If you like mysteries set in a small-town environment, centered on
character and plot twists, you might like my
stories.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Who or
wha<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> inspired you <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>o wri<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>e
<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>his
book?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><u1:p></u1:p></strong></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Sticks Hetrick, my
main character, who is always jiggling more
ideas.</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wha<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> else abou<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> your book migh<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname> pique <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>he reader’s in<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>eres<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>?<u1:p></u1:p></span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In addition to the mystery element,
readers of romance might be interested in the growing relationships of Sticks
and Anita and Sticks’ protégés Flora and Harry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I was
<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>agged
by:<u1:p></u1:p></span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: .2in;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Margaret
Blake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I <st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>ag: [3 o<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>her published wri<st1:personname w:st="on">t</st1:personname>ers ]</span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><u1:p></u1:p><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0.2in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: .2in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">-------------------------------------</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-----------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Practice To Deceive (August 2012),
Whiskey Creek Press</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Limping Dog (March 2012),
Whiskey Creek Press</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fallen From Grace (March 2011), Wild
Oak</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://jrlindermuth.com/" title="http://jrlindermuth.com/">http://jrlindermuth.com</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-23783946192565016102012-10-18T09:49:00.001-04:002012-10-18T10:33:13.761-04:00Questions<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">My writer friend Beth Elliot sent me these very interesting questions, so rather than plot a blog this month, I thought I would answer them here. It's much more fun.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><strong style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #333333;">What is the working title of your book?</span></strong></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><i>I have just completed a book and have had it accepted called Under a Grecian Moon.</i></span></strong></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 18pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;">Where did the idea come from for the
book?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><i>I was sitting looking out of my window on a cold, wet, miserable Tuesday morning. I wished I was somewhere warm and sunny and there you go - I thought I will take myself to a Greek island, and what do you know it all kicked off.</i></span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">What genre does your book fall
under?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><i>Romance with a little mystery but not a romantic suspense.</i></span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">Which actors would you choose to play your characters in
a movie rendition?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><i>The man would be difficult, he is in my head and does not remind me of anyone I have ever seen or known. Yes, he is that gorgeous. I'd like to play the heroine - yes, I know I am too old, but Judy Dench when she was young would be perfect. However, I do like Rachel Stirling.</i></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;">What is the one-sentence synopsis of your
book?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><i><span style="line-height: 18pt;">Their lives were full of secrets </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">and</span><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> lies.</span></i></span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong>Will your book be self-published or
represented by an agency?</strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong><i>My book will be published by Whiskey Creek Press.</i></strong></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /><strong>How long did it take you to write the first
draft of your manuscript?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong><i>I never write drafts. My mind doesn't work that way, I never know how things are going to work out. I just go with it and plot as I go along. I could not have a draft and then write around it, it would be too technical for me, but I do know it works for lots of people, just not me.</i></strong></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">What other books would you compare this story to within
your genre?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><i>I like to think it's unique.</i></span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong>Who or what inspired you to write this
book?<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><strong><i>As I said in the beginning, I wanted to be somewhere warm and sunny so I took myself off to this wonderful island. While I was there I met this gorgeous Greek but there had to be so many complications!</i></strong></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">What else about your book might pique the reader’s
interest?<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><i>The heroine, she is strong and gutsy. She has had to learn to hide her feelings.</i></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 18pt; margin: 14.4pt 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">I was tagged by: BETH ELLIOT.<o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong><span style="color: #333333;">I tagged John Lindermuth.</span></strong></div>
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<br /></div>
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margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-19760940284602556982012-09-13T06:14:00.000-04:002012-09-13T06:14:43.114-04:00King Richard the ThirdMuch excitement is being generated at the moment. There is an archaeological dig in the town of Leicester - they are looking for the body of King Richard, who was killed at nearby Bosworth Field. The last English King to die in battle.<br />
<br />
We admirers of the King are very excited about this. Could our beloved Richard at last be given a burial he so rightly deserves. Of course Tudor propaganda keeps sneaking in. Talk of a "hunchback" etc. which just was not true. Even if those who believe it speak of Richard being the creature created by Shakespeare, they must concede that if he were like that, how come he was known to be so fearsome in battle? It does not make sense.<br />
<br />
Although the heinous crime of his being responsible for the murder of his nephews is wildly thought to be true, there is much evidence to show that he was not indeed responsible for this crime. Lots of counter evidence can be found with careful research. I loved Josephine Tey's novel "The Daughter of Time, which was where I first discovered a different Richard from Shakespeare's. That was what inspired me to look into this very enigmatic man, and I don't mind admitting, to fall a little in love with him.<br />
<br />
Richard inspired my first novel and a later one, I have much to thank Richard for - and of course Josephine Tey too for introducing me to the truth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghweTmDJ8ufaW16qLbj5wJidbHOQsJmkX8QCf5B7k-uEo2uOvCzyz6w-o6Wcsdk-bL8VtwG8tpYU4M_H_OX-QCLgJxlEBI-6T0VRoDrogN3j6mZmYcx0JaD3yCYBd5NePlxvXSiuTTgdgv/s1600/A+sprig+of+Broom+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghweTmDJ8ufaW16qLbj5wJidbHOQsJmkX8QCf5B7k-uEo2uOvCzyz6w-o6Wcsdk-bL8VtwG8tpYU4M_H_OX-QCLgJxlEBI-6T0VRoDrogN3j6mZmYcx0JaD3yCYBd5NePlxvXSiuTTgdgv/s320/A+sprig+of+Broom+front.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogev5iXN5ZJ-BSFX1B3-dvGbzGj6X_5WrOB6ZFBgrNAjkGh6kd-6pwtYoG3xaN8zNbtlUw7OdBQet7Up6iSUcj-nl16wxlJfKHMl6QaWFUuQdqrCjBqpgZNtwxNWpy62E-lIWBwbElgu_/s1600/Dangerous+Enchantment+Cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogev5iXN5ZJ-BSFX1B3-dvGbzGj6X_5WrOB6ZFBgrNAjkGh6kd-6pwtYoG3xaN8zNbtlUw7OdBQet7Up6iSUcj-nl16wxlJfKHMl6QaWFUuQdqrCjBqpgZNtwxNWpy62E-lIWBwbElgu_/s320/Dangerous+Enchantment+Cover.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dangerous Enchantment available on kindle and in print from</div>
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www.amazon.com and www.whiskey creek press.</div>
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A Sprig of Broom available on kindle at www.amazon.com and in libraries in hardback print.</div>
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<br />margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-84176698538270221352012-09-06T05:30:00.000-04:002012-09-06T05:30:45.622-04:00Back AgainI am back in circulation now, coming out of a nasty bout of shingles which left me unable to do very much. It's great to feel that my brain is ticking over again.
There is nothing worse than having to sit around reading the newspapers, listening to the radio and watching television when you know that you want to be doing something else.
You might think it would be good to have little distraction and therefore be able to plot the next novel but even this seemed to be impossible. I felt like a blob and looked pretty disgusting too.
Ah well, the end is nigh as they say and today the sun is shining, I feel quite cheered. I also received a super review for Tilly's Trial - available at www.romancejunkies.com. Just a little excerpt to wet your appetite :
An emotion-packed tale, TILLY’S TRIALS, the latest novel by talented author Margaret Blake, is a poignant contemporary romance dealing with secrets, misunderstandings and second chances. Once I started reading this story, I became so absorbed in it that I found myself reading late into the night to see how it would turn out. Although Marsh and Tilly fight their feelings for each other due to problems and misunderstandings from their past, they soon find the fight futile. The characters are well-drawn and their problems are believable. I could not help rooting for them to reunite. With humor, clever banter, danger, PTSD, counseling, romance and true love, this story is captivating. I highly recommend this wonderful story and look forward to reading more of Ms. Blake’s works! Romance Junkies Review
Cheers folk - and remember, have a lovely day!
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margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-67726499698870046292012-07-26T07:03:00.000-04:002012-07-26T07:03:29.549-04:00Tilly's TrialsI really like to try to ring the changes with romantic novels. However, it is difficult. After all A loves B - eventually - how do you make that different? Conflict.It's a conflict that has to be resolved and you can delve into your mind and come up with different kinds of conflict. It can be a struggle sometimes, however sometimes it just comes to you.
Coming up with an idea of conflict for Tilly's Trials was very easy. Marsh and Tilly had been in love previously, they had even married but the marriage failed. Tilly puts down the failure to Marsh's alleged misbehavior with the hot and sexy Mariel Hopkins but wasn't Tilly to blame too? Oh yes, and until Tilly realizes that, the two are never going to get together.
Lots of my readers have said how much they like Marsh. Good. That's what we aim to do, I could not have my main man disliked by the readers, and if I am not in love with him too, how can I expect any reader to fall for him as well.
Falling out all the time can get a tad tedious, don't you think? So you can't be too heavy handed with the conflict, if a couple are squabbling throughout the book I would think it would be very boring. But sometimes it is like walking a tightrope. Sure they must have disagreements but agreements too.
It helped me that Marsh and Tilly had had a past. Tilly had a huge crush on Marsh when they were at school. He was only two years ahead of her but he was known as the coolest kid in the school. But Tilly had a past too and a not very pleasant one, she has to find her way through that before<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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ever finding lasting happiness with Marsh.
Put that into the pot, as well as running a business and I think you have a good brew. Why not sit down, put up your feet, pour that cup of tea and just...well you know what you have to do.
Tilly's Trials
available from www.amazon.com
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Details on my website - www.margaretblake.co.ukmargaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-64282212800053996312012-07-18T05:08:00.001-04:002012-07-18T05:09:29.905-04:00Welcome to Pauline Holyoak.Today I am happy to give over the blog to the wonderful writer Pauline Holyoak. I am sure you will all make her feel very welcome.
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About me - I grew in Southeast England, in a coal mining village lovingly nicknamed, “The place that time forgot.” Go to my website, click on ‘Articles’ and find out why. I immigrated to Canada when I was 21 in search of adventure and a new life. I currently live in Alberta with my sports crazy husband, adorable sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. I am the proud mother of two grown children and one grandchild on the way. Yay!
About my trilogy - Merryweather Lodge, was inspired by my own experiences in a remote and mysterious little cottage near Stonehenge. This cottage was called Scotland Lodge and belonged to my aunt and uncle. We would spend our summer holidays there when I was a child. It was my fairytale kingdom but it had a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge stayed with me, as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland and was lead to concocting this story and writing this trilogy. This wonderland and my childhood fantasies were the catalyst for my writing career and the inspiration for my trilogy.
The first book in my Merryweather Lodge trilogy Merryweather Lodge – Ancient Revenge, was the Readers Favorite 2011 Silver Award Winner for paranormal fiction. Book two, Merryweather Lodge – Malevolent Spirit, is a Readers Favorite finalist. Winners will be announced in September. I have also written two children’s books and had twenty five articles published.
For aspiring novelists.
A novel is a story about people; it’s as simple as that. It has a beginning, middle, an end, and a whole lot of conflict in between. The author creates the people, involves them in the conflict, and justifies their reason for being there.Writing a successful novel depends on four things –a little talent, lots of determination, a vivid imagination and skill. No one can teach you the first three but skill is something you ‘can’ learn.
The average reader demands several things of a novel – a strong plot, action, well developed and colorful characters, believable character motivation, a well defined back ground, a strong style that brings vivid images to mind, and good grammar. Readers want to be entertained and if you can put emotion, dreams, and desire on paper, you ‘can’ write a novel.
Writing a trilogy or series is not an easy task. You have to keep your story line alive, long enough, to warrant three or more full length novels, and make sure that your characters do not perish from exhaustion, before they arrive at their destination. Each book must stand alone for readers who haven’t followed the previous books yet and you can’t bore those who have, with repetitive details of earlier events. You have to make your first book so compelling, that your readers will be anxious for the next one, and get the second one finished, published and out there, while the first one is still fresh in their minds….Writing a trilogy or series does have it’s advantages though. One already knows the characters, has done the research, established tone, point of view and motivation. ‘And’ if your first book is successful it’s almost a guarantee that your publisher will accept your next one. Find your niche, find your genre and write the sort of book ‘you’ want to read.
Rejections - I have leaned that rejections, are part of the writing life, how to cope with them and how to move on. At first they were like nagging little gremlins, suggesting that I didn’t measure up. I had to learn how to distinguish myself from my work, to set up boundaries between myself and my creation. My writing was like a child to me, but like my own children, I had to send it out into the world to succeed or fail on its own merit. We all get rejections, JK Rowling’s received 14 rejections before finding a publisher for Harry Potter. I wonder what ‘their’ thinking now? Steven King first book Carrie was tuned down 31 times, it took him ten years to get it published. And look at him now.
Perseverance, patience, and bold determination are what most published authors have in common.
Excerpt from: Merryweather Lodge – Malevolent Spirit
I scampered up the stairs, guided by the light from the half-opened kitchen door. Just before I reached for the door, it closed suddenly - as if someone had shoved it. My breath caught in my throat. My fear exploded into panic. “Help! Auntie Em!” I shoved the pendant into my pocket and twisted the brass handle. It wouldn’t budge. I pounded on the door. “Auntie Em! Auntie Em. Please!” The blackness was closing in on me, choking me with its foreboding grip. I couldn’t breathe. I stood, perfectly still, too afraid to turn around, my hand throbbing from beating on the rough wood. Just breathe and relax Emily. She’ll come looking for you soon. Unless…. No! That’s unthinkable. “Meow! Meow!” “What is it Winston? What’s wrong?” The cat growled and then let out a harrowing shrill. Something touched my arm. I dropped the bottles grabbed the pendant out of my pocket, put it up to my lips and prayed.margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-71205820916834599842012-06-21T06:03:00.001-04:002012-06-21T06:03:57.717-04:00Tilly's Trials<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBi-P5O6BA5d2fFGiohLKJl0PQPXdTCpAoxcS6hJ8TBGYgIda49GMQJrx9o6xE7Z1LqLbs3v8lkt_svoN0ig05kO40_kT4CbJbcwH5bFOjcM93j39k7t6ebWq3VuZoZ9qSS2gpP-qhmdE/s1600/Tilly%2527s+Trials+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBi-P5O6BA5d2fFGiohLKJl0PQPXdTCpAoxcS6hJ8TBGYgIda49GMQJrx9o6xE7Z1LqLbs3v8lkt_svoN0ig05kO40_kT4CbJbcwH5bFOjcM93j39k7t6ebWq3VuZoZ9qSS2gpP-qhmdE/s320/Tilly%2527s+Trials+cover.JPG" /></a>
My new novel Tilly's Trials is published this week (www.whiskeycreekpress.com) initially as an ebook but shortly into paperback.
TT is what I would like to call an old fashioned romance but it does have a twist. I thought long and hard about this novel because I was writing about a fairly sensitive issue - and no I am not going to tell you here what that is!
Tilly has been divorced from her husband Marsh Masterson for some time. They meet again when, after part inheriting her mother's chain of tea shops, Tilly's father invites Marsh to come in and run things. A definite storm in a teacup.
Marsh a working class boy has done really well becoming a successful business man so it isn't exactly a bad idea. However, Tilly is furious. The scene is set for many a confrontation. And really, does Tilly's father not realise this, or has he his own agenda? Perhaps too that agenda has nothing to do with hoping that Tilly and Marsh will get together again.
I loved writing about Tilly and Marsh, I really liked them both and Marsh is the kind of man any girl would like to meet - <i>believe me!</i>
Try it and see if I'm wrong.margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-20708823942944945772012-04-19T05:46:00.001-04:002012-04-19T05:46:20.473-04:00Review for The Longest PleasureReview The Longest Pleasure
I have received the following review from Romance Junkies and just had to share it with you.
"A thrilling tale, THE LONGEST PLEASURE, an exciting romantic suspense by gifted author Margaret Blake, will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat and eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next. I read this story in one sitting, unable to put it down. At first, Viola has trouble trusting Jed, afraid that he may turn out to be like Vic. After all, Vic had tenderly wooed her too in the beginning of their relationship. But before long, Viola sees that Jed is nothing like Vic and the sparks begin to fly. The chemistry between the two is combustible, and not even well meaning family meddlers can keep them apart. Brimming with emotions, danger, murder, deceit, steamy situations and romance, this is a story that you will still be thinking about long after the last page is read. I highly recommend THE LONGEST PLEASURE and look forward to reading more of Ms. Blake’s works. Do not miss it! "
Cheers, Margaret.margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-89797692097489974762012-04-03T06:19:00.000-04:002012-04-03T06:19:06.817-04:00Welcome to John LindermuthJohn is an acclaimed writer of historical novels and thrillers, also finding time to write intriguing short stories that always have a surprising twist in the tale. He certainly has been prolific and successful and I am so pleased to have him as my guest this week. I do hope that many of you will stop by and say hi to John, as well as take up his books, you will not be disappointed, I promise.<br />
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Hello Margaret. Thank you for this opportunity to tell readers about my latest novel, The Limping Dog. This is my 10<sup>th</sup>, and the sixth with our mutual publisher, Whiskey Creek Press.</div>
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Unlike my other novels, all of which have been set in <state w:st="on">Pennsylvania</state>, The Limping Dog takes place on the rugged and beautiful <place w:st="on">New England</place> coast. The setting was inspired by a journey I made some years ago to the wonderful Cape Ann region of <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Massachusetts</state></place>.</div>
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Delia “Dee” Cutter, a reporter, comes home after a failed romance to find her father accused of having stolen the secret to an innovative computer system. Gavin Cutter, an eccentric artist, has no interest in computers and the situation might have been laughable if not for a series of mysterious events.</div>
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Cutter had been among a small group of witnesses to the crash of a sailing ship onto a reef. The first aboard the wreck, he rescued a dog—the only living creature on the vessel. Ron Myers, wealthy owner of a growing computer firm, and the crew were gone without a trace.</div>
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Myers is alleged to have developed a radical new microprocessor system. Some believe it lost with its creator. Others believe it exists and have devious plans to profit from the invention.</div>
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When TJ Flood, an insurance investigator and former policeman with a hidden past, questions Cutter and other witnesses he discovers a sheriff’s deputy denies knowledge of a woman the others say was also present. <place w:st="on">Dee</place> is attracted to Flood and they team up to investigate.</div>
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Flood watched her, ignoring his own food. The sun coming through the windows behind him made a glowing aura around her. Despite the delicious aroma of the food, Flood was oblivious to hunger, the sight of her all the sustenance he desired for the moment.</div>
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Noticing, she blushed. “Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked, putting a napkin to her lips.</div>
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A clock gonged eight somewhere in another room</div>
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Embarrassed, Flood reached for his fork, mumbling, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. I was just wondering…”</div>
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“Yes?”</div>
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“I don’t know a thing about you.”</div>
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She touched him with one of those delightful smiles that told him his gauche behavior was forgiven. “What do you want to know?”</div>
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“Everything.”</div>
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She laughed. “That’s a lot to ask over breakfast.”</div>
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It was his turn to smile. “You did invite me. And the day is young.”</div>
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“We were discussing business.”</div>
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“I hoped we might get beyond that.”</div>
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“Your eggs are getting cold,” she told him, then added, “We still might.”</div>
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Optimistic, Flood attacked his food.</div>
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“It is a lot of money,” <place w:st="on">Dee</place> said after a moment. “Don’t you think it’s odd she’d offer all that money when it wasn’t even her dog?”</div>
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Flood nodded. “To us. I guess not to her. Like I said, she’s supposed to have a real soft spot for animals and people who treat them right.”</div>
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“Who is this Mrs. Myers anyway? What’s she like?”</div>
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“I’ve never met her. All I know is what my supervisor told me. She’s old money—a ton of it. From what I hear, her and her husband are—were—total opposites. They met in college. She was a latter-day flower child—peace, love and all that, including acid-tripping in her younger years. Her husband was the total nerd in school, a computer whiz.”</div>
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“Opposites attract, so they say.”</div>
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“Yeah. Anyway, her father, Nathaniel Haviland, approved of the match. Maybe he thought marriage to a suit and tie conservative would put her on an even keel. Whatever his reasons, Haviland put up the money for Ronald Myers—that’s the husband—to start his company. Myers Dynamics has become one of the biggest computer firms in <place w:st="on">New England</place>. Sandra narrowed her eccentricities to animals and causes related to them. They had no kids but, from all reports, the marriage was otherwise normal.”</div>
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“Until the husband decides to go sailing and disappears with his crew. Sounds like a story to me.”<br /><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Story?”</div>
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“I’m a reporter.”</div>
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“Ah, so I learn something about you. Where?”</div>
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“Never mind. Go on.”</div>
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“Where?”</div>
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“A small daily upstate. Come on, did she have him offed?”</div>
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“You’ve been watching too much television,” Flood said with a laugh. “For what? I told you, she had all the money. Daddy left her everything, including controlling interest in Ronald’s company.”</div>
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“Maybe he didn’t like that, or got tired of all her pets. Maybe he ran off with his mistress.”</div>
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“And took the crew along?” Flood shook his head. “There was no mistress as far as we know. His going sailing is puzzling, though.”</div>
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“How’s that?”</div>
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“The Sandra Haviland was the old man’s boat…”</div>
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“It was named for her?”</div>
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Flood shook his head. “Her mother. Nathaniel used to race it when he was young, practically lived aboard later. Ronald Myers, on the other hand, hated sailing. They say he got sea sick walking across a bridge.”</div>
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“Then there is something…”</div>
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“Strange? Yes. That he went sailing. Yes, that he and the crew disappeared into thin air. But not about Sandra Haviland Myers wanting to give your father the claim. There’s something else I didn’t get to explain to him last night.”</div>
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Buy links: <a href="http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=978">http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=978</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Limping-Dog-ebook/dp/B007G3NNMG/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4">http://www.amazon.com/The-Limping-Dog-ebook/dp/B007G3NNMG/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-limping-dog-j-r-lindermuth/1109675022?ean=9781611602302&itm=9&usri=lindermuth">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-limping-dog-j-r-lindermuth/1109675022?ean=9781611602302&itm=9&usri=lindermuth</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytm3F8Ce3NINMNIcui-6JXLEsI5WM77Id0vGoNGNyGJIWzcg7rvXHvMa1uyOrS_neqMtV2ic4by7yCTYKGQH-SKD1lECd89gomj-6nflrmVeCmqTRw0SE657N_jYGXguCxIGwCt4SgWML/s1600/The+Limping+Dog+Cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytm3F8Ce3NINMNIcui-6JXLEsI5WM77Id0vGoNGNyGJIWzcg7rvXHvMa1uyOrS_neqMtV2ic4by7yCTYKGQH-SKD1lECd89gomj-6nflrmVeCmqTRw0SE657N_jYGXguCxIGwCt4SgWML/s320/The+Limping+Dog+Cover.JPG" width="213px" /></a></div>margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-16066463152933799692012-03-08T08:42:00.000-05:002012-03-08T08:48:01.589-05:00What's in a Name?My contemporary romantic suspense "The Longest Pleasure" is published now in print and e-book form. It had me musing about the hero and heroine. The heroine is the more intriguing as she starts off as Olivia and becomes Viola. Top marks for getting that I stole those names from one of my favourite Shakespearean plays "Twelfth Night"
I love both women in that play, especially Viola who has to make a new life for herself. Not only that but she disguises herself as a boy too, making for a lot of confusion and fun. Viola in my novel has to make a new life for herself too. Originally she called herself Olivia because the Police had advised her that if she changes her name, change it to something that is familiar to her.
It had me thinking about names and why we choose them. The late actress Beryl Reid always said she could not get into a character until she found the right shoes. I can sympathize with that. I can't write a word until I have the names of my main characters.
Olivia/Viola was easy but my male character was a little more problematical.I wanted a manly name but something short and memorable too. I don't know where the name Jed came from. Is it short for Jedadiah? Who knows? I never have to get into that.Jud I know is short for George but what could Jed's full name be? The first correct answer can obtain an e-book copy of the novel.
In the main I do like old fashioned names. I have a Saul and an Edward, and also Jesse. I am particularly fond of Jesse from A Poisoned Legacy, and similarly Saul from His Other Wife. Oh be truthful girl, I am fond of all my heroes, that's what they are <i>heroes.</i>
Also I am fond of rather old fashioned names for my gals too. Girls like Belinda, Flora, Roxanne and Charlotte. It might be fun to try and match the names to the books - a visit to either www.whiskeycreekpress.com or www.amazon.com will give you the answer.
Happy reading!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvTyMRvCJWQQrN_SKxmoY2LDO25G1jXXb2Sp3MoRpcBAeC1y7mU79X9U2MpGnbH2PDfbKsikp9p5uku9S_4Re6F3EGRWr_GEzcTPX6pbne0Waolh5atHqDGeK1ACzMQbm3Qb23-rLLCjB/s1600/Cover+The+Longest+Pleasure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvTyMRvCJWQQrN_SKxmoY2LDO25G1jXXb2Sp3MoRpcBAeC1y7mU79X9U2MpGnbH2PDfbKsikp9p5uku9S_4Re6F3EGRWr_GEzcTPX6pbne0Waolh5atHqDGeK1ACzMQbm3Qb23-rLLCjB/s320/Cover+The+Longest+Pleasure.JPG" /></a></div>margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-56829997073910537032012-02-16T06:18:00.000-05:002012-02-16T10:58:49.148-05:00The Longest PleasureThe Longest Pleasure is due for release in March, and I so wanted to share the beautiful Nancy Donoghue cover with you. Nancy again captivates the essence of the story and I am so delighted with this.
A friend and colleague, Paula Martin, was doing an interview the other day, one of the topics was titles and where they came from. It was affirming to see that Paula, like me when stuck for a title, reverts to quotations.
I was really stuck on what I should call The Longest Pleasure, as it is a duel edged story. I went into my quotations book and came up with the perfect one - by Lord Byron, himself quite a rogue!
<b>"Now hatred is by far the longest pleasure. Men love in haste but they detest at leisure." Lord Byron.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0ap4tDKyNeWslbuFj7NGcKyIf4MMQzOOC-bkq2_aNcN8iGhke6M_vOf3kImZZE5NoNgPQdk84WIrm0d4hsR8SczJNwgOcPajek_wOPOccup4ERpdBYQDxIWAosBSlAcG-b3MOAYpdZYl/s1600/Cover+The+Longest+Pleasure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0ap4tDKyNeWslbuFj7NGcKyIf4MMQzOOC-bkq2_aNcN8iGhke6M_vOf3kImZZE5NoNgPQdk84WIrm0d4hsR8SczJNwgOcPajek_wOPOccup4ERpdBYQDxIWAosBSlAcG-b3MOAYpdZYl/s320/Cover+The+Longest+Pleasure.JPG" /></a></div>
</b>
It is so perfect as The Longest Pleasure is about love and hate and revenge. I am so happy that I found it.
Considering what Paula had written about, I looked at my other titles and mused over when I had used quotes before. "Fortune's Folly" straight out of Romeo and Juliet and perfect for that book. However apart from a book I wrote years ago "Fond Deceiver" I realized that I had not actually used that many quotations. Coincidentally Paula revealed that she too had written a book some time ago called Fond Deceiver and dang it but she had found the same quote too. Great minds thinking alike.
At the moment I am reading the proofs for The Longest Pleasure, it is serving to confirm to me that the title is more than perfect. Finding that quote was a stroke of luck!margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-34194848199911338722012-01-26T06:14:00.002-05:002012-01-26T06:34:39.376-05:0025th January 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYrQe58LN9yhbLsi5m_IY7g69OvlRqsiBsCgo7KykY8Xt-H9tQKoxlYUH95qhy1tuYClGC6ea-V4piyfaiprm7hyt0xjCSu8BFNPrsiDmEYvR8sJBIqwWLdVto8Ya_sAf8g7LtNrQgz7N/s1600/Robert+Burns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 93px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYrQe58LN9yhbLsi5m_IY7g69OvlRqsiBsCgo7KykY8Xt-H9tQKoxlYUH95qhy1tuYClGC6ea-V4piyfaiprm7hyt0xjCSu8BFNPrsiDmEYvR8sJBIqwWLdVto8Ya_sAf8g7LtNrQgz7N/s320/Robert+Burns.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701902561776666530" /></a><br />This is a special day. It's Robert Burns' birthday. All over the world people celebrate this wonderful poet with a special supper. The menu always has haggis, and there is a toast to this simple but delicious dish. Its wonderful when someone reads "An Address to the Haggis" in a rip roaring Scottish accent. There are lots of other things to eat too and last but not least, there is the Immortal Memory, where someone will talk about Robert Burns. <br />This is my first year without a Burns supper to go to. Last year I went up to Scotland and stayed at a lovely hotel and enjoyed a Burns Supper and dance with lots of like-minded souls. It was wonderful. When John was here we used to have our own Burns Supper We had regular guests who came every year and we also invited two new people. These people only came once but it made each Burns Night different and special. I know that everyone enjoyed it.In our little house there was no room for "the dance" but there was lots of good, Scottish music and the food was wonderful, all prepared by John.<br />It was John's idea to have a Burns supper many, many years ago. He maintained that things went flat after Christmas. He loved Scottish dancing and used to be good at it too. His dad was in The Black Watch Scottish regiment, hence his love of all things Scottish. I had a closer connection to Scotland coming from a long line of MacLennan and MacDonald and McKechnie.<br />Burns deserves this remembrance, he was a brilliant poet, who can forget his wonderful poem A Man's a Man for All that which has such relevance today. He was a handsome devil too and a man for the lassies too. I visited his family home in Alloa what a tiny cottage it was and yet it is full of atmosphere. If you are ever visiting Scotland this is a place you should visit.<br />So for the sake of Auld Lang Syne have a toast to Rabbie Burns.He deserves his place in literature.margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-22662629334747512312012-01-12T08:26:00.003-05:002012-01-12T08:39:53.339-05:00Review at Amazon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYwRufiGowqNJDZuTc_skj8AO77k1OtmZDpENe7CjMET-41mRv-carVMSM63vgsrcaNtLcFP-euv9QLfKUXQ9yy55ysSJ510ePLUl3JYJfYnGDSvcgQZfncLQJgRB2eeciFQSd80-pCzV/s1600/A+Sprig+of+Broom+Cover.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYwRufiGowqNJDZuTc_skj8AO77k1OtmZDpENe7CjMET-41mRv-carVMSM63vgsrcaNtLcFP-euv9QLfKUXQ9yy55ysSJ510ePLUl3JYJfYnGDSvcgQZfncLQJgRB2eeciFQSd80-pCzV/s320/A+Sprig+of+Broom+Cover.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696739131978947010" /></a><br />I am conscious that I have not been keeping up with this blog.However, I was in Florida for Christmas and that is my good excuse. Basking in the warmth of that lovely Florida sun, but importantly, basking in the company of my family. The latter always the very best thing about my trip.<br /><br />While I was away I was contacted by a reader who had read A Sprig of Broom and who had also been kind enough to put up a review on Amazon. Such a treat and one for which I am very grateful to AC and especially for the five stars. I thought I would share the review with you here.<br /><br />In the meantime please let me with you all a very Happy New Year.<br /><br />5<strong>.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE VERY BEST IN THAT GENRE !!!, December 29, 2011 <br />By <br />AC - See all my reviews<br />This review is from: A Sprig Of Broom (Kindle Edition) <br />One more time Margaret Blake delivers a powerful tale full of danger at every corner. The action takes place at the end of the civil war between two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York; one of them won. Now is a time of reckoning, there will be no mercy for traitors. In these very uncertain times the life of a man means nothing, and the life of a woman even less.<br /><br />This is the story of a noble young woman, Lady Cecily Hadfield, courageous, strong but also willful; who like many other women at that time is only a little pawn on a big chessboard, where no matter what happens, men always win. Power and greed is their creed. Caught in the world of political ambition and intrigue she tries desperately to navigate on troubled water.<br /><br />The new king "gives" her to a Welsh barbarian, Thomas Cadwallader, and she can do nothing about it. She is utterly powerless and quite alone, no one will come to her rescue. The only thing she can do is to stay true to herself no matter what. She will have to be the wife of that man, there is no way out of it. He will own her body but he will never own her mind and her soul, never! She sees this new king and her new husband as murderers and usurpers, nothing more, nothing less.<br /><br />Cecily and Thomas clash at first and this is an understatement. She taunted him each and every day tirelessly. I was not sure at the beginning if I was going to like her or not, but on the other hand I could understand why she acted this way. All I can say is that Thomas's tolerance to his wife was pretty high but only up to a point! Behind his cold demeanor Thomas is a good person but his pride is often a hindrance.<br /><br />Page after page something happens, there is no rest. Each time Cecily says something outrageous to her husband, he reacts of course and it is an unending spiral opened to anything. Tension is very high!<br /><br />Cecily will learn the hard way that willfulness is never a solution, on the contrary it can be extremely dangerous.<br /><br />Margaret Blake created captivating characters. She has become an expert at mixing fiction with history, each time craftily balanced. This book is an action-packed plot full of twists and turns. What a wonderful book. <br /><br /><br /> <br /> </strong>margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-32712068675377383832011-12-01T05:38:00.002-05:002011-12-01T05:42:23.048-05:00A Sprig of Broom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwS-f9YkFopqb9QnUJ-nIMYusjEtObZX_LEZyPpQJ4Nygow4vaEMkydFyaP0hkQr-wQ8N3FnUGEpXBgMrjH2Gh0f6NSurKPK8QUdyOzDO4WMqiD_IQ4L2350Xe84mQfElptLkJhv_Tc1w/s1600/A+Sprig+of+Broom+back+and+front..JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwS-f9YkFopqb9QnUJ-nIMYusjEtObZX_LEZyPpQJ4Nygow4vaEMkydFyaP0hkQr-wQ8N3FnUGEpXBgMrjH2Gh0f6NSurKPK8QUdyOzDO4WMqiD_IQ4L2350Xe84mQfElptLkJhv_Tc1w/s320/A+Sprig+of+Broom+back+and+front..JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681108309487801106" /></a><br />I am happy to tell you that A Sprig of Broom is published today. Initially in e book form at www.whiskeycreekpress.com<br /><br />I should be quaffing champagne or at the very least doing something really exciting, yet no, I am off to Pilates. I have to come back home later and do some cleaning, check if my laundry is dry enough to put away and, oh you know all those mundane tasks that we mortals have to do. I think I would rather be Cecily Hadfield, my heroine in A Sprig of Broom, she has the mercurial Lord of Llanaber to tame, or is it <em>he</em> that must tame her? To find the answer get hold of a copy of A Sprig of Broom, it will certainly while away a chilly December afternoon!margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-31400163520834312552011-11-23T05:04:00.003-05:002011-11-23T05:11:04.088-05:00Guest Blogger Today - Welcome Pauline Holyoak<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii82OsBWlEfo81xwLEpJGtMSL3l9RxOu9ws5ezF-2NdYgUOhQnuMK8NufCXx7EUSitvtMIzztYTw7RkmxamWUGXA8s3NhvuxdCVITb8LJFwKlOKDQITrK__XgsCW52rdUJvPqOua9oA1d/s1600/Merryweather+lodge.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii82OsBWlEfo81xwLEpJGtMSL3l9RxOu9ws5ezF-2NdYgUOhQnuMK8NufCXx7EUSitvtMIzztYTw7RkmxamWUGXA8s3NhvuxdCVITb8LJFwKlOKDQITrK__XgsCW52rdUJvPqOua9oA1d/s320/Merryweather+lodge.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678131529486178386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg52lxNjWtbxprSxU-f5YLFsahGLHrg1qvugBDsiXClt3bngtVCAWzwQHq7_24lk2dabI81uD1XTSYD2UEixsiwAXJY-Fi5vEe6zGMDE514aSzBU_OsJpFuhkHoEFkiig3qDBYPcHi6Ib1/s1600/Malevolent+Spirit.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg52lxNjWtbxprSxU-f5YLFsahGLHrg1qvugBDsiXClt3bngtVCAWzwQHq7_24lk2dabI81uD1XTSYD2UEixsiwAXJY-Fi5vEe6zGMDE514aSzBU_OsJpFuhkHoEFkiig3qDBYPcHi6Ib1/s320/Malevolent+Spirit.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678131327584441522" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /><strong>Award – Winning, Canadian Author Pauline Holyoak </strong> <br />Merryweathger Lodge – Malevolent Spirit. Book 2 . A trilogy inspired by the authors own experiences at a remote little cottage near Stonehenge.<br /><br />“This author paints each page with fantasy, colorful characters, and haunting events that would light up a movie screen.” <br /> <br />Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Margaret. <br /> <br /> I grew in Southeast England, in a coal mining village lovingly nicknamed, “The place that time forgot.” Go to my website, click on ‘Articles’ and find out why. I immigrated to Canada when I was 21 in search of adventure and a new life. I currently live in Alberta with my sports crazy husband, adorable sheltie dog and cantankerous ginger cat. I am the proud mother of two grown children. <br />The first book in my Merryweather Lodge trilogy Merryweather Lodge – Ancient Revenge, was the Readers Favorite 2011 Silver Award Winner for paranormal fiction. I have also written two children’s books and had twenty five articles published. <br />I often get asked. “What inspired you to write this trilogy?”…<br />Every summer, when I was a child, we would visit my aunt and uncle at their quaint little cottage on Salisbury Plain. It was called Scotland Lodge and was situated not far from the historical Stonehenge. My uncle worked as a farm hand for the local squire. My aunt tended the manor house. It was there as I roamed free, deep within the English countryside, that I experienced joy, enchantment and some very strange and frightening occurrences. It was like a fairytale kingdom with a sinister twist. The memories of my summers at Scotland Lodge stayed with me, as a sort of nagging unsolved mystery all my life. A few years ago I revisited my childhood wonderland (the old place still emanates a strange and eerie essence) and was lead by some mysterious force into concocting this story and writing this trilogy. It is from my mystifying experiences at Scotland Lodge that this story has emerged. <br /><br />Blurb: It’s Christmastime at Merryweather Lodge. Emily has returned to the old cottage from her home in Canada; after the untimely death of someone she loved. Will she be able to celebrate a traditional English Christmas in her aunts enchanting little cottage or will she be tormented by the hideous creature, again? Was Emily’s attempt to banish her unearthly adversary successful? Will her aunt disclose the secrets she has been concealing for so many years? What will happen when Emily’s best friend comes to visit her? What secrets will she reveal? Will Emily ever get to make love to the man of her dreams? A chilling tale of love, passion, sorcery and sacrifice; laced with mystery and tied with humor.<br /> <br />Excerpt: I could hear the shrill sound of my mother’s disapproval as I closed my eyes, wrapped in the warm arms and sensual body of my very best friend. <br /> Suddenly, I woke up to a strange sound, and darkness, total darkness. I listened intently, my gaze scouring the inky void, my heart picking up pace. It was a ghostly child’s voice, a repetitive menacing echo from far away. The voice came closer, its ominous words penetrating the darkness, ringing in my ears, pounding in my head; “Emily, Emily two by four. I saw you at the cellar door. I pushed you on the dirty floor and cut you with a chainsaw.” I recognized the unearthly voice.<br /><br /> Merryweather Lodge – A quaint little cottage, steeped in history, shrouded in secrets, its aura a paradoxical essence of heaven and hell. Come with me to the West Country in England and experience my protagonist’s strange and eerie journey there. <br />Merryweather Lodge – Ancient Revenge and Merryweather Lodge – Malevolent Spirit<br />Available at www.whiskeycreekpress.com – www.amazon.com – www.amazon.co.uk <br />Visit Pauline at her website www.paulineholyoak.commargaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-83514069850814343772011-11-10T03:31:00.005-05:002011-11-10T03:41:17.550-05:00Introducing Cara Cooper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALU_JIfHlu7ZIB7uFISxs9ANsaBjDjSEPal57xY20z055nS64MzWjgRPcer0Jk_cksPWruZ5KghNNGYE0zmSYhxofFtqFNSID59OgGhM4dHcaKo-jSJBJVTqfiMwZHIzQVNoF6dq62UYw/s1600/Cara+two.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALU_JIfHlu7ZIB7uFISxs9ANsaBjDjSEPal57xY20z055nS64MzWjgRPcer0Jk_cksPWruZ5KghNNGYE0zmSYhxofFtqFNSID59OgGhM4dHcaKo-jSJBJVTqfiMwZHIzQVNoF6dq62UYw/s320/Cara+two.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673283160648930962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlHlKltq-8-jbMXh4qErVk2cTiTVGgm9YdpN4HLABPPwJ-r_EGoNv0-yfwiHi9X00boL0gHSYgoO1zCoTwqBcdxq-B8odp_D4ZTixBkLywUc7ijg9UjwOhSQGMkeqwbNhI6jOiCguRJ8h/s1600/Cara+Picture.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlHlKltq-8-jbMXh4qErVk2cTiTVGgm9YdpN4HLABPPwJ-r_EGoNv0-yfwiHi9X00boL0gHSYgoO1zCoTwqBcdxq-B8odp_D4ZTixBkLywUc7ijg9UjwOhSQGMkeqwbNhI6jOiCguRJ8h/s320/Cara+Picture.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673282617039228114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyABY6n71kzrRSeHUhyphenhyphenpfs7QOh61HZuiNQT25H8PA-JrkxFClB3pbWDLxnrYdtsCubmlG4iaMjrf_S9ssL4t97c_c0Apx2b1xBXn626SHnC7d_RIR61gUeKjBIe3lEHSxERGHFQTBUl5Q/s1600/Cara.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyABY6n71kzrRSeHUhyphenhyphenpfs7QOh61HZuiNQT25H8PA-JrkxFClB3pbWDLxnrYdtsCubmlG4iaMjrf_S9ssL4t97c_c0Apx2b1xBXn626SHnC7d_RIR61gUeKjBIe3lEHSxERGHFQTBUl5Q/s320/Cara.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673282204665923746" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Welcome to Cara Cooper<br /><br />Hi Cara, I remember when we first met at a pink castle in Scotland; both of us were attending a writing course. It proved to be a lot of fun, did you gain anything useful from it? That castle was SO romantic and the food delicious.<br /><br />Hi I did gain lots from that course. As you recall it was about writing for Mills and Boon. Although I haven’t been successful with them yet, they really know how to give their readers what they want. Above all, that course explained to me how internal conflict which is the baggage that we carry around from our own personal histories helps to prevent us forming relationships sometimes with people who are perfect for us, our own personal heroes! Working through that baggage is the life blood of many romances.<br /><br />Cara you explained internal conflict perfectly. <br />You write Pocket Novels, for those in the States who might not know what these are, could you tell us a little about them? <br /><br />They are novellas, around half the size of a mainstream book so you can happily sit down and polish one in an afternoon over a cup of coffee and cake and get an instant romance fix. Some have elements of suspense – maybe a crime that has to be solved. Some are historical – the Regencies are very popular. They are sweet romances, stopping at the bedroom door but they still have passionate moments and the contemporary ones are about today’s women. In ‘Leaving Home,’ my heroine faced the challenge of planning a new life in New York but had to deal with the sudden arrival of her estranged sister’s baby as well as choose between two men vying for her affections. In ‘Tango at Midnight’, another heroine with her own cupcake company has a dark secret hidden for years which the hero threatens to uncover. Pocket novels are always feel good stories that give the reader an instant lift and which you could happily share with your mother, grandmother or teenage daughter. What’s more, they fit very nicely in a handbag for that long journey or morning at the beach. Many are now being published as e-books.<br /><br />Writing Pocket Novels you have to be strict on the word count, do you plan your story within the time frame or do you have to cut, and then cut some more?<br /><br /> I think I’ve got it down to a fine art now having written six and with a seventh in the pipeline. I tend to be very strict with myself and keep the word count way down so that I can add if necessary. Adding I always find easier than taking elements away!<br /><br />Funnily enough it is the reverse with me. I hate adding, much prefer taking away. <br />I know you sometimes write historical romance. Regency is very popular, why do you think that is? I write Medieval but the Regency period surpasses any other period in popularity.<br /><br /><br /> You’re so right Margaret. I often visit relatives in Hampshire, very close to Jane Austen’s house. Even the buildings with their red brick and beautiful gardens ooze the charm of the Regency period. I think the popularity stems from the notion that it was a gentler time, a slower time but where people faced considerable challenges – women to make their mark in a male dominated world and men to fight for what they considered to be right. There is endless fascination too in thinking what a world would be like without cars, planes and computers – all the stresses and strains of the modern world can be lost in the fantasy of historical novels.<br /><br />You are so right about stresses and strains. I find the mobile phone is something to struggle with in contemporary suspense novels. Makes it far harder than when writing an historical.<br />When did you first start to write – what was your inspiration to be a writer?<br /><br /> Gosh I don’t know, I just always have written. I think it really stems from a love of books and reading in general. I am never without a book in my handbag or a notebook to write down ideas, character traits or descriptions of settings. I was in St James’s Street the other day visiting the Carlton Club, a genuine gentleman’s club in the heart of London. The best bit though was the shops around it which were perfect for a historical setting. There was William Evans, ‘purveyors of country clothing, gun and rifle maker’ established in 1883, the club itself with its bootscraper at the door and even a man smoking a cigar on the pavement. I’d only have had to close my eyes and I would have been back in the past. I guess, to answer your question, London is a huge inspiration it’s so full of life and people there’s always something to write about.<br /><br /><br />You have such a busy life, a career, a husband and daughter, you are a prolific writer, how do you fit it all in?<br /><br /> I wait until they’ve all gone off to work and school and make sure I have nothing to do for an hour each day but write. Little and often is better than huge dollops of writing every now and then. You have to be disciplined and the writing muscle is one that has to be exercised regularly.<br /><br /><br />I do know that you met your husband while learning the tango. I think that SO romantic, was it really romantic? The Tango is the dance of love, meeting like this is straight out of a romantic novel, was it like that? <br /><br />Amazingly, yes! Some of the music is wonderful and we have actually tango’d across St Mark’s Square in Venice in the rain - very badly, we’re not terribly good but the music was drifting out of a nearby hotel and we couldn’t resist it<br /><br /><br />How wonderful, that is real romance, Cara, you lucky lady.<br />I believe you are setting up a blog, perhaps you would like to give details here.<br /><br /> Yes, I have recently got together with other Pocket Novel writers to set up thepocketeers.blogspot.com we welcome all visitors and comments and have posted about anything from our favourite romantic heroes to where we get our ideas from.<br /><br />What have you going at the moment? <br /><br />At the moment I am busy with the third installment of a serial for the magazine People’s Friend set in Sorrento in Italy and am doing edits for a pocket novel with a desert island setting. It’s no surprise that it’s cold and rainy in London at the moment so I guess I am escaping to the sun! Thank you so much Margaret for the opportunity to appear here at the Lark Journals, it’s been a real privilege and I hope to welcome you to the Pocketeers blog soon.<br /><br />Ah wonderful Sorrento, I went there too, such a romantic city. Thank you so much for being here today, have really enjoyed talking with you and wish you lots of luck with all your writing ventures.<br /><br />www.caracoopers.blogspot.commargaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-5724866788425360842011-10-28T08:41:00.002-04:002011-10-28T08:41:00.342-04:00Charmed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuoNpGkvuUCbdxI8BkuZESq3jZDqpJtgmn6Yy88si38ZFn9Rq0B6BY6cFTQI65Y9wpKvhW_VaMRI80GrrNMRh5IwKAJfyMsqYPQEj7SKz0nfXKBr0EyH7XfemcvOzE706cm8d7TIeEy4/s1600/IMG_6796.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuoNpGkvuUCbdxI8BkuZESq3jZDqpJtgmn6Yy88si38ZFn9Rq0B6BY6cFTQI65Y9wpKvhW_VaMRI80GrrNMRh5IwKAJfyMsqYPQEj7SKz0nfXKBr0EyH7XfemcvOzE706cm8d7TIeEy4/s320/IMG_6796.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663698353045300146" /></a><br /><br />Are you like me, charmed by clouds? I can't ever walk anywhere without looking toward the sky. I'll admit, I don't always "see something" but I look. My sweet husband could always find something interesting in the sky. Me? I usually see clouds. Occasionally something more, but that happens so infrequently I don't have any high expectations. <br /><br />Yesterday I saw a heart. I don't need to tell you how thrilled I was by the sight of it overhead. I just made my day!<br /><br />What about you? See anything interesting in the clouds?<br /><br />Wishing you a peaceful weekend.Sarita Leonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09236262575377618259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7271510039435336442.post-56425948210473235232011-10-27T09:30:00.003-04:002011-10-27T09:31:35.179-04:00A Sprig of Broom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4ZY3XsG-iDBq9ZbFSCHs9RuzVJ5T8mNrH4ptxnorg6ng4YeUc129AQBJM8PGoBq2J3sJf1Se_Am6Y9DraOQ1yGNGoBpJpi6QbVuu4tj44gJi-sXWA_D_vj3KDHdY1Vy8-FLaWM54AaWA/s1600/A+sprig+of+Broom+front.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4ZY3XsG-iDBq9ZbFSCHs9RuzVJ5T8mNrH4ptxnorg6ng4YeUc129AQBJM8PGoBq2J3sJf1Se_Am6Y9DraOQ1yGNGoBpJpi6QbVuu4tj44gJi-sXWA_D_vj3KDHdY1Vy8-FLaWM54AaWA/s320/A+sprig+of+Broom+front.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668164064871525202" /></a><br />I just received a copy of the cover of my next book - it isn't out until December, but I could not resist sharing it. So beautiful and more than appropriate.margaret blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com1